Biological changes linked to Alzheimer's begin decades before symptoms appear, study says
The research, involving 2,051 individuals, found these biological changes in adults aged 41 to 56, suggesting they begin decades before typical symptom onset.
The study also identified a potential hereditary component, with a parent's biomarker levels, particularly mothers, possibly linked to similar patterns in their children.
Factors such as increasing age and kidney disease were associated with higher biomarker levels, and the APOE ε4 gene was linked to higher levels in older individuals.
Researchers cautioned that while promising, these blood tests are not yet suitable for routine diagnosis and require further research for standardization.
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Write it down and don't be afraid to rely on technology One of the most fool-proof ways to remember something is writing it down and this isn't something to be ashamed of, Prof Loveday says. She found that getting her mother to write things down that she needed to remember that day on a whiteboard in the kitchen really helped slow down the progression of the disease . And whilst it may seem like a tedious task, Prof Loveday says one of the best things you can do for someone with a degenerative memory condition is teach them how to use Google Maps. 'One of the worse things you can do when lost is panic', she said. But this is also works both ways, so for her own peace of mind as a carer she also turned on the tracking system on her mother's phone so she can easily see where she is if needs be. Curate old memories Typically, Alzheimer's patients will have a good grasp on their early memories so sparking a conversation about the good old days can help preserve identity. 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Conversely, it is well-known that sugar can have an inflammatory effect on the body, causing glucose spikes which have been shown to reduce cognitive function. Prof Loveday suggests eating more vegetables, berries rich in antioxidants and foods high in omega-3s such as oily fish or nuts and seeds. There is also surmounting evidence that too much or too little sleep can raise dementia risk. Plan for the future now Whilst it can be hard talking about future plans in terms of care, Prof Loveday advises getting the conversation out of the way as soon as possible, before the disease progresses further. Get your eyes and ears tested Finally Prof Loveday suggests getting your hearing and vision tested regularly to keep dementia at bay––and at least once every two years for people over 60, in line with NHS guidelines. It is believed that tackling hearing loss early could delay the development of dementia for a number of years, though the exact reasoning is not yet fully understood by experts. But, hearing loss is not an inevitable part of ageing and this simple step could help millions reduce their risk of dementia.
